The Covenant of Mayors
The Covenant of Mayors is the most ambitious initiative engaging signatory cities to go beyond the EU’s energy and climate goals and curb their CO2 emissions by at least 20% by 2020 via energy efficiency and renewable energy actions. Within the year following adhesion to the Covenant, the signatories submit their Sustainable Energy Action Plans (SEAPs) describing how they intend to reach the objectives. Since the Covenant commitments concern the whole geographical area of the city/town/region, the SEAP should include actions concerning both the public and private sectors in the city. Energie-Cités is committed to encourage the highest possible number of its members to join the initiative.
Sustainable Energy Action Plans:
Helsinki, Almada, Heidelberg, Zoetermeer-Delft and Paris, five Covenant cities and Energie-Cités members, invite you to discover their Sustainable Energy Action Plans (SEAPs).
The cities are experienced in organisation of local energy forums and putting in place a participative local energy policy. The SEAPs were in all six cases developed in cooperation with local actors and citizens.
Helsinki
Documents in english :
Climate Strategy for the Helsinki Metropolitan Area
Climate Change in Focus in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area
Helsinki Metropolitan Area Climate Strategy to the year 2030-Summary
Almada
SEAP (in portuguese)
Almada Shining example (in english)
Heidelberg - Sustainable Energy Action Plan
Sectors, main actions & targets : Energy = heating and electricity, dwellings, non residential buildings, university, university hospitals, US-Army, energy utility, municipal buildings, SME’s
Targets in % or absolute figures : City Council target: minus 20% CO2 by 2015 compared to 1987
Documents in german:
Energy Concept
SEAP
Energy & CO2 Balance 2006
Zoetermeer and Delft - Sustainable Energy Action Plan
Sectors covered : Renewable energy, housing, SME’s, municipal buildings, transport, finance and policy
Main actions / projects foreseen Shining example
Targets in % or absolute figures : For Zoetermeer, CO2 emission reduction targets are: 8% in 2010, 30% in 2018 and 100% in 2030
Documents in english or dutch :
Zoetermeer CO2 reduction Plan
EREA Action Plan
Delft Climate Plan (in english)
Zoetemeer Action Plan
Paris - Sustainable Energy Action Plan
The Paris’ Climate Protection Plan, adopted by the City Council in October 2007, is the result of both a community expression of views and the thorough assessment of economic players, various local institutions and city administration departments. As such, it witnesses a strong collective commitment of Paris and its inhabitants.
This strong commitment is based on a “factor 4” approach and aims to result in 75% less greenhouse gas emissions from its own activities and those in Paris by 2050 compared to 2004.
Its targets are ambitious:
25% less greenhouse gas emissions
25% less energy consumption
25% of energy consumption to come from renewable energy sources
Document in english :
The Paris Climate Protection Plan
Further Information:
In order to support the signatory cities to undertake their commitments, the European Commission has set up the Covenant of Mayors Office (COMO). The dedicated team of professionals is ready to provide cities with technical support (preparation and monitoring of the SEAPs) and will help them to promote and communicate on their local actions.
Furthermore, the European Commission and the COMO are seeking a financial support for the implementation of SEAPs. ELENA (European Local Energy Assistance) is a technical assistance facility launched in cooperation with the European Investment Bank (EIB). It is designed to provide financing to local authorities for the development of bankable investment projects or programmes in the area of sustainable energy. It also aims to ensure the eligibility of the supported investment projects or programmes for further EIB funding.
An important help to signatories offer also the Supporting Structures:
- Public administrations that are in a position to provide strategic guidance, financial and technical support to municipalities with the political will to sign up to the Covenant of Mayors, but lacking the skills and /or resources to fulfill its requirements, namely the preparation and implementation of SEAPs.
- Networks of local and regional authorities that commit to improve the Covenants’ impact by promoting the initiative, liaising with their members, facilitating exchange of experience and defending common interest in the adequate fora.
Energie-Cités is leading, in cooperation with Climate Alliance, Eurocities, CEMR, Fedarene and Pracsis, the Covenant of Mayors Office and is an official Supporting Structure.
Energie-Cités is committed to:
- Encourage the highest possible number of its members to join the initiative,
- Enhance the exchange of experiences and know-how on tools and methodologies helping cities to put in place their SEAPs,
- Promote its members’ activities and SEAPs as to inspire and show the way to other European cities,
- Set up a "Covenant Task Force" within its Board of Directors aiming to better respond on the cities’ expectations and formulate the proposals for improvements.
News on the Official Covenant of Mayors website
Contact in Energie-Cités:
Jean-Pierre Vallar
Documents:
Covenant of Mayors layouted text
Adhesion procedure
List of Covenant Cities
Videos of the Press conference, videos and photos of
the 2009 Ceremony
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